After everything was settled in Texas, John brought Kate back to New York. It took a long time for her to calm down.
She had never imagined that her younger brother—John—was actually the hero she had admired for so long…
The King of Horizon.
She couldn't help but recall a line from the heroine in a classic TV series, Journey to the West:
"My Mr. Right is an unparalleled hero. One day, he'll appear before me with flowers in hand."
Now, she felt like the happiest person on earth.
Unlike the tragic fate of that TV heroine, Kate was overflowing with joy—so much so that she even forgot the pain in her shoulder.
"Little John…"
On the way home, she kept repeating his name with warmth and disbelief. Her excitement even surpassed Alice's reaction when she discovered that John was her idol, the Master of Clouds.
John smiled gently.
"Kate, remember what I told you? I said one day I'd give you the opportunity to interview the King of Horizon. Now you see—I wasn't lying."
"Yeah!"
Kate nodded gratefully.
But at this moment, the desire to interview the King of Horizon no longer burned as fiercely as it once did.
In fact… she preferred to keep the secret to herself.
It was a subtle shift in her heart.
Before, the King of Horizon was like a god—distant, unreachable. If she could have even a single interview with him, it would erase all her regrets in life.
But things had changed.
It was like a prized toy everyone wanted—one beyond anyone's reach—and Kate had longed for it too. But now, that toy belonged to her. She could hold it, play with it, keep it close.
Suddenly, she didn't want to share it with the world.
She wanted it just for herself.
"It's human nature," she thought to herself.
Of course, John had no idea that Kate was comparing him to a toy.
He smiled again. "Kate, I promise—you'll be the first and only person to interview the King of Horizon. But… not yet."
He had already made up his mind. When the time came for Kate's official interview, he would remove the dragon-shaped mask and reveal his identity to the world.
But now wasn't the right time.
He still wanted to enjoy peaceful days with his seven beautiful sisters. If he went public now, admirers would flood in from all directions, and he wouldn't have a moment to himself.
He was well aware of his charm—and his growing influence.
When they returned home, Kate didn't mention her injury to the others. She didn't want them to worry.
But Queenie noticed something was off.
She watched John leave earlier claiming he was going to treat a patient—but now he had returned with Kate, and it was clear he hadn't been honest.
She walked straight into Kate's room, eyes sharp.
"What happened between you two? Tell me everything."
Kate had no choice but to explain what had happened in Texas.
After hearing the full story, Queenie's expression darkened.
"You went to Texas by yourself? Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?! If it weren't for John, you would've—"
She stopped herself and took a deep breath.
"That's it. No more of this nonsense. Tomorrow, I'm going to your company to submit your resignation."
"But—"
"No buts!" Queenie cut her off. "The Queenie Group is short on staff. From now on, you'll stay home and help me manage the business. No more traveling!"
She was unusually serious.
Kate lowered her head in silence.
John stepped forward and added, "Kate, I'm with Queenie on this. I've been back in New York for a while now, but you've barely spent time with me. That hurts."
Kate had nearly died at the hands of mercenaries. John couldn't bear to see it happen again.
If she agreed to stay, it would be for the best.
Seeing both Queenie and John looking at her with genuine concern, Kate felt her heart soften.
John, especially, looked at her like a lost little boy—helpless and pitiful, like a weaned child searching for his mother. Who would've thought this was the King of Horizon?
Kate couldn't help but laugh.
"All right, don't look so pitiful, little John. I'll stay home and be your nanny. How does that sound?"
John beamed.
"I'm glad we see eye to eye."
But Queenie, who had been listening, rolled her eyes.
"Kate, it'll take time for your wound to heal. You want to be his nanny? What are you going to feed him—salty water?"
Kate and John both froze, eyes wide with horror.
What… did she just say?
John stared at her, dumbfounded.
So did Kate.
She had always believed herself to be the most shameless among the sisters—and Queenie the most reserved.
But after that statement?
Kate looked at Queenie with open admiration.
This woman… really was something else.